Palatine Mayor Feels Tragedy, Too

Don't ask Rita Mullins, mayor of Palatine, how she's holding up in the midst of what could very well be the saddest week in the 127-year history of her town. She's likely to burst into tears.

True, that's not your typical mayoral reaction, but then it hasn't been the kind of week that many small-town mayors face during their tenures. Seven funerals can leave anybody feeling kind of ragged emotionally.

Mullins, like the town of Palatine itself, is trying for that stiff upper lip, but not always succeeding.

At Thursday's Northwest Suburban Association of Commerce and Industry luncheon, local business members seemed surprised to see Palatine's mayor, one of the scheduled speakers, even make an appearance.

After it was over, many trooped by to offer their support, a pat on the back, even a few tears. Fellow mayors had that "there but for the grace of God, go I" look on their faces as they whispered words of encouragement.

The fact that everybody keeps saying this wasn't supposed to happen in Palatine doesn't really help much. Mullins herself admits she's a little tired of hearing that mass murder wasn't "supposed" to be on the agenda for her affluent bedroom community.

"There's no one place where things like this are supposed to happen or not supposed to happen," she said.

But as far as rebuilding the town's shattered image goes, she conceded it's probably better to be perceived as the most unlikely spot imaginable for such a tragedy than the first place that comes to people's minds when they hear the news. Still, as consolation goes, that's a pretty meager offering. In fact, it's scary.

"What has shaken this town to its roots is if you are not safe in this safe community, then where are you safe?" Mullins asked.

She compared the town's emotional state to that of any mourner.

"Palatine has to go through the grieving process," she said. "When that's done, the outpouring of support we are seeing already from every element within the community-and from surrounding communities as well-will hold us together and get us through this.

"If there is any good to come out of this tragedy, it is the camaraderie that's developed within the village, the outpouring of love and help towards the victims' families that is being demonstrated," she said. "That's what has buoyed me up throughout this ordeal."

Picking up pieces

Catholic Charities is offering four free individual counseling sessions for anybody in the northwest suburbs who feels traumatized by the Palatine tragedy-no matter what their connection may be, according to Rita Wiley, director of the Rolling Meadows office.

Although there is often a waiting list for counselors at Catholic Charities, Wiley said those who feel their problems are definitely related to the recent violence in Palatine will be given preferential treatment. Call Nancy at 870-0560 for more information.

The Bridge, in Palatine, which offers youth and family services, is also offering informal drop-in sessions for youth, families and community members affected by the murders from 3 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays at 721 S. Quentin Rd.

Those who deal in bereavement say that reactions to such a loss often don't set in until after much of the activity surrounding the funerals quiets down.

Impossible dream

Michael Procaccio, who owns Pro Tax & Financial Services Inc. in Schaumburg, seems to enjoy tilting at windmills: He wants to make tax time fun for his customers.

"A lot of tax preparation places have a very generic atmosphere, with folding chairs and metal desks," said Procaccio. "But we're trying to take people's minds off the painful experience of having their taxes done and give the place a feeling of permanence as well. We don't want our customers wondering where we will be next year."

To that end, his office waiting room is a little livelier than the typical accounting office. There are music videos on a color television built into the front of the reception desk, a 9-foot sailfish on the wall, candy on the counter, autographed boxing gloves on his desk and a gyrating Elvis clock.

Throughout the storefront office are large pictures and mosaics of everything from newly minted dollar bills to ticket stubs from Riverview and blowups of sporting events, and souvenirs from his vacations. Shelves carry collections of model cars and antique cameras.

"People like seeing stuff on the wall," said Procaccio. "It helps improve the environment."

Larson glanced at his tablemate, Rita Mullins, who was accepting the condolences of her colleagues after Palatine's recent tragedy, and perhaps recalling Schaumburg's recent problems with a police officer killed in a drunken driving accident, rolled his eyes and said fervently, "Nothing, I hope."